Base or pedestal for chairs



July 18, 1961 w. w. GOOD 2,992,803

BASE OR PEDESTAL FOR CHAIRS Filed Aug. 12, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 L? INVENTOR.

July 18, 1961 w. w. GOOD 2,992,803

BASE OR PEDESTAL FOR CHAIRS Filed Aug. 12, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lipii n IN V EN TOR. 5 ad ad I K 3 5.25:5. 5 15 5 (a July 18, 1961 w, w, GOOD 2,992,803

BASE OR PEDESTAL FOR CHAIRS Filed Aug. 12, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

5 WM a? United States Patent 2,992,803 BASE 0R PEDESTAL FOR CHAIRS Wayne W. Good, Stnrgis, Mich., assignor to Harter Corporation, Sturgis, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Aug. 12, 1955, Ser. No. 528,093 2 Claims. (Cl. 248-194) This invention relates to improvements in a base or pedestal for chairs.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a chair base or pedestal which is strong and rigid and at the same time is relatively light in weight while being massive and attractive in appearance.

Second, to provide a chair pedestal or base having these advantages which may be economically produced.

Third, to provide a chair or base which includes a body member desirably formed as an aluminum casting in which the parts thereof are so disposed as to provide great strength and rigidity in proportion to the amount of material therein.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view partially in section on a line corresponding to line 11 of FIG. 2, a fragment of the seat post and its adjusting nut being illustrated.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the base or pedestal, with parts shown in horizontal section.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the body member of my base or pedestal.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on a line corresponding to line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View partially in section on a line corresponding to line 55 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view partially in transverse section on a line corresponding to line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to line 77 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view partially in section corresponding to that of FIG. 5 of a slightly modified form or embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view partially lll section corresponding to that of FIG. 1 of a modified form or embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view partially in horizontal section of the embodiment of my invention shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in section on a line corresponding to line 1111 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a transverse section of one of the arms of the body member on a line corresponding to line 1212 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 13--13 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view corresponding to that of FIG. 4 of a still further modification or embodiment of my invention.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, inclusive, comprises a body member 1 formed as an integral casting desirably aluminum or other light metal or alloy. This body member is of generally cruciform shape and comprises a central portion 2 and radiating arms 3.

The body member has a continuous bottom portion 4 surrounded by continuous upstanding narrow flangelike side walls 5 with a continuous upwardly facing shoulder 6 at the bottom thereof. The body member has a 2,992,803 Patented July 18, 1961 centrally positioned upwardly projecting seat spindle or post socket 7 formed integrally therewith and ribs 8 and 9 radiating from the socket 7, the ribs 8 are disposed centrally of the arms and extend from the spindle or post to the castor socket members 10 at the ends of the arms.

The ribs 9 are disposed alternately relative to the ribs 8 and merge at their outer ends into the sides 5 of the body member. The inner portions 11 of the ribs 8 are disposed horizontally to serve as seats for the cover or housing member 18. The upper edges of the outer portions of the ribs 8 are inclined outwardly. Adjacent the outer ends of the arms, the body member is provided with cover member supports 12 which project above the ribs 8 to support the cover member 18.

The castor socket members 10 are provided with bores or sockets 13 for the spindles 14 of the castors 15. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 the spindles 14 are threaded at 16 to engage the nuts :17 which are cast or molded into the body member. The details of the castors as such form no part of this invention and therefore are not described. 7

The cover or housing member 18 is of generally cruciform shape proportioned to fit over the body member and may be desirably formed as a sheet metal stamping or of plastic as the body member sustains the load. The cover constitutes a finishing member and substantially conceals the body member. The cover member 18 is provided with inturned flanges 19 on its lower edges which rest upon the shoulders 6 of the body member, preferably throughout.

A yieldable packing or cushioning member 20 is disposed upon the horizontal portions 11 of the ribs 8 with the cover member having a central boss 21 receiving this cushioning member. The screws 22 are disposed through the cover member and the cushioning member and threaded into the vertical enlargements 23 of the ribs 8. Cushioning members 24 are arranged over the upper ends of the cover member supports 12. In the modification shown in FIG. 8 the arms of the cover member are secured to the arms of the body member by screws 25 threaded into the support 26.

The cushioning member 27 corresponds to that of FIG. 5. The purpose of these cushioning members is to prevent noise in the event of a slight movement of the parts and to compensate for tolerances in the manufacture of the parts.

Scuff plates 28 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, inclusive, are desirably formed of plastic and are provided with hooks 29 at their lower ends engaged in holes 30 provided therefor in the inturned flange of the body member. The cover member is provided with holes substantially the same.

The spindle socket is provided with a bushing 34 which is flanged at 35 to support the adjusting and supporting nut 36 of the seat post or spindle 37. In the modification shown in FIG. 8, instead of the nut 17 being molded into the body member to receive the castor spindle, the bore of the castor socket member is provided with an annular groove 38 receiving the snap ring 39 for engagement with the registering groove 40 of the castor spindle 41.

In the modification of my invention shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, inclusive, the cruciform body member designated generally by the numeral 42 is formed as an open chambered casting facing downwardly, the sides of the central portion 43 and of the arms 44 merging and having a continuous upwardly facing shoulder 45 at the bottom thereof.

The body member is provided with a seat spindle socket 46 integral therewith, this socket having radial lugs 47 alternating with the web-like ribs 48 which extend to the side walls of the body member. The arms are provided with integral castor socket members 49 internally threaded to receive the spindles of the castors 50. The cover member 51 is of generally cruciform shape and conformed to embrace the body member and is provided with inturned flanges 52 resting on the flanges 45 of the body member. The cover member has a central opening 53 through which the spindle socket projects.

The spindle socket is provided with a suitable bushing 54 corresponding to the bushing 34 and adapted to receive the seat spindle or post 55 provided with a supporting and adjusting nut 56. The cover member is secured by the screws 57 threaded into the lugs 47 and these screws are covered or concealed by the spindle adjusting nut 56. The scufl plates are desirably secured in the manner previously described.

In this embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 13, inclusive, the outer ends of the arms of the cover rest upon the outer ends of the arms of the body member. The embodiment shown in FIG. 14 corresponds to that of FIGS. 9 to 13, inclusive, with the exception that the shoulders 45 are omitted and the inturned flanges 52 of the cover 51 engage the downwardly diverging sides of the body member.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, inclusive, the body member is formed as an integral casting, preferably aluminum or other light metal, and the cover member is desirably formed of light gauge sheet metal or plastic.

In all of the embodiments the load is sustained by the body member of the base and the cover member may be varied considerably in design so long as it supportedly engages and is fixedly attached to the body member and in effect becomes a part thereof in the assembled structure.

I have illustrated and described my invention and certain designs which are highly practical, both from the manufacturing and use angle. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed to be new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination in a chair pedestal or base, of a body member comprising a central portion and arms radiating therefrom, said body member including a base portion having a continuous upstanding border flange with an outwardly projecting upwardly facing shoulder at the bottom thereof, said body member having a centrally positioned upwardly projecting seat spindle socket and upwardly projecting caster spindle sockets at the outer ends of its arms, said body member also having alternating web-like main and auxiliary ribs having inner portions of uniform height and outwardly tapering outer portions, the main ribs being disposed longitudinally and centrally of said arms and extending from the spindle socket to said caster sockets, the intermediate ribs extending from the spindle socket to the border flange, said body member also having cover member supports projecting above its said border flange and disposed adjacent .the outer ends of its said arms, and a downwardly facing chambered cover member secured to said body member and having side walls conformed to embrace said border flanges of said body member and supportedly engaging said shoulders thereof, and packing members disposed between said cover member with said ribs, and between said cover member and said cover member supports on said arms.

2. The combination in a chair pedestal or base, of an integral body member comprising a central portion having a central spindle socket therein, and angularly spaced arms radiating from the central portion, the spaces between the arms being unobstructed, said body member having outwardly projecting upwardly facing shoulders at the bottom edges of its central and arm portions, an

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,927,796 Hays Sept. 19, 1933 2,129,933 Hueglin Sept. 13, 1938 2,490,210 Cramer et a1. Dec. 6, 1949 2,587,886 Penchoen Mar. 4, 1952 2,780,431 Carlson Feb. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 603,580 Great Britain "June 18, 1948 

